Metatarsal pad



Sept. 18, 1928.

A. DEGLING METATARSAL PAD Filed March-5, 1927 INVENTOR;

Patented sept. L1s, i928.

`UNI-T1131) STATES ALEXANDER DGLING, or PHILADELPHiA, rENNsYLvANri/i.

l 'METATARSAL PAD.

y.Application .led- March 3, 1927. Serial N0. v172,256.

This invention, generally stated, relates to a device for giving comfort to and rectifying defects of the feet and has more especialrelation to a metatarsal pad.

The leading object of the present invention may be said to reside in the provision of a metatarsal pad for the correction of fallen metatarsals and in addition to prevent the format-ion of callous.

A further object of the present invention may be said to reside in the provision of a device of the character stated calculated toV restore the metatarsal of the human foot to its normal position or condition, thus relieving pressure from the large or toe joint.

Other and further objects of the present invention reside in the provision of a simple, inexpensive, and eiiicient metatarsal pad for attaining the results sought by the aforesaid objects.

The invention consists of the novel construction hereinafter described and finally claimed. Y

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, and in which:

Fig. l, is a view in side elevation of a metatarsal pad embodying the features of the invention as applied to the human foot.

Fig. 2, is a view in longitudinal section taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 3 of the metatarsal pad embodyingl the invention.

Fig. 3, is a view taken upon the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4, is a view of the underside of the metatarsal pad with the pad removed; and

Fig. 5, is a top or plan view of the pad.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at presentV preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understoodthat the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization'of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the refence numeral l designates a band of elastic material which is of general configuration of a truncated cone so as to readily lit over the human foot, as clearly shown in Fig. l.

The bottom edges of the elastic band l are secured together by means of a strip 2 of ilexible material, as leather, the bottom edges of the band l being stitchedfto the strip 2, as at 3, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Secured to the underside of the elastic band l, as by stitching et, is a piece of flexible material 5, as leather. As clearly shown in Fig. el., the

edges 6 of the flexible material 5 converge,

in a .direction towards the rear of the device for a purpose to presently appear; and the edges 7 of the elastic band l. converge in a direction towards the front of the device. Thus, the elastic band l is of smaller cross sectional area at the point LV-e than it is at the point b-l). Removably iitted to the pocket, as formed by the bottom of the elastic band l andthe pliable member 5, is a pad preferably of felt or equivalent material, the bottomv of which is flat as at 8 and the top of which is convened as at 9. Conside ed in plan, the pad is substantially elliptical in configuration and when inserted in the pocket as formed by the bottom of the elliptical band l and the pliable material 5, frictionally engages the sewed edges of the material 5 and since the edges 6 of the material. 5 converge in a direction towards the rear of the device, obviously the frictional engagement of the pad increases as the pad is forced rearwardly ofthe device. Thus, according` to the particular ailment being treated in the metatarsal region of the human foot, it is possible to adjust the pad forwardly or rearwardly as desired. y e

I am aware of various arch supports where elastic bands are inserted over the human foot to support the arches, but l disclaimv such structures because the metatarsal portion of the foot is not supported and is notv calculated to be supported by so-calied arch supports.

Patent, is:

loe

A. metatarsal pad 'comprising `an elastic,

,band of one piece of material for fitting over the middle cuneiform of the Ahuman foot, which band at its bottom is formed upon an arc of a circle considered in cross section, with the meeting edges of the arch so formed arranged centrally of the band, a pliable elongated strip stitched upon the arch top and covering` the said meeting edges of the arch to provide a reinforcing member, a flat pliable member stitched to the underside of lIU said band at the juncture of the arch ends with the main part of the band to forni a pocket immediately below said. arch and elongated strip, which pocket is of gradually decreasing height as it nears the rear of the band, which pocket extends beneath the major portion of the sca hoid of the human foot, and a removable e liptical shaped padY fitted within said pocket, said pad having a convexed upper surface throughout its extent and which surface longitudinally considered tapers to a very thin portion at the pad front and back to provide a reversible pad which may be litted to the contracted rear space of said pocket, said pad being arranged to extend from the sesamoid of the human foot rearwardly to atleast the internal cuneifornn ALEXANDER DEGLING. 

